Fulton County Building Permit Guide

Fulton County Building Permit Guide

Fulton County is Georgia's most populous county, with complex permit jurisdictions spanning Atlanta, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Johns Creek, and Milton.

Determining Your Jurisdiction

Each city in Fulton County has its own building department:

• Atlanta — City of Atlanta Office of Buildings
• Sandy Springs — Sandy Springs Permitting
• Roswell — City of Roswell Building Department
• Alpharetta — Alpharetta Building Department
• Johns Creek — Johns Creek Permitting
• Milton — City of Milton
• Unincorporated Fulton County — Fulton County Building Department

Engineering Requirements

PE-stamped engineering is required for:

• Foundations — all new construction
• Structural modifications — beam design, wall removal, openings
• Commercial buildings — full structural design
• High-rise construction — especially in Atlanta's urban core
• Foundation underpinning — common in older Atlanta neighborhoods

Fast-Track and Self-Certification

Atlanta offers a self-certification program for registered design professionals, which can speed up permitting. Requirements include a valid Georgia PE license and a clean record.

Foundation Challenges in Fulton County

Older areas of Atlanta and Sandy Springs often have foundation issues due to expansive soils and mature tree root systems. Engineering inspections and foundation design must account for:

• Soil bearing capacity
• Tree proximity
• Drainage patterns
• Existing foundation conditions (for renovations)

Getting Started

Georgia Licensed Engineers provides PE-stamped plans accepted across Fulton County. Call (833) 205-7710.